Florida formally announces hiring Gerald Chatman as Gators defensive line coach

Florida head coach Billy Napier formally announced the hiring of Gerald Chatman to the Gators defensive staff on Friday.

Chatman joins the program as their new defensive line coach, and Napier and company couldn’t be more excited to welcome him aboard.

“We are excited to welcome Gerald and Lauren, along with Kinley, Amelia, Maya and Tyson, to our Gators family,” Napier said, via a press release from the school. “He will do a great job with our defensive line.

“Gerald has proven to be an effective teacher, motivator, mentor and recruiter throughout his career. His experience in the SEC, NFL and other levels of football will be beneficial. We are excited to get to work alongside Gerald as he starts his journey at UF.” 

Alas, Chatman can’t wait to get started, adding that he’s looking forward to “relentlessly working with” Napier and company to rebuild the Gators into an SEC power.

“My family and I are excited to join the University of Florida,” Chatman said. “I look forward to relentlessly working with coach Napier, the staff, and players to uphold the standard of the historic Gators football program. I embrace the challenge.”

Moreover, Chatman is takings his talents to the Gators after spending 2023 as Tulane’s defensive line coach. In their press release, Florida provided a run down of Chatman’s accolades during the Green Wave’s campaign.

“The Green Wave defense ranked eighth in the county in rush defense (93.5 yards per game), fourth in turnovers gained (25), T-22nd in sacks (34), T-25th in tackles for loss (82.0),” Florida provided as context. “Tulane’s defensive line group has totaled 52.5 tackles for loss, 27 sacks, 15 quarterback hurries, five forced fumbles and four pass breakups.

“Chatman guided Patrick Jenkins, who was named the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Defensive Lineman and Interior Defensive Lineman of the Year. Jenkins and fellow defensive lineman Darius Hodges were both named to the ACC First Team.”

Alas, Chatman has also spent some time in the SEC with other programs, working as an assistant with the LSU Tigers and Texas A&M Aggies, among his numerous other stops.

Florida is hoping they found someone who can develop their defensive line into a formidable force in the SEC moving forward. Gerald Chatman believes he’s capable, and Billy Napier reciprocates that feels.

We’ll see if he can get the job done for Florida moving forward, helping propel their resurgence in the strong conference.